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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Summer terms at uni - Is there any tuition?!!!

97 replies

bamboowarrior · 25/04/2023 12:17

Am hearing reports that the third term doesn't really exist - that it's just reading week and exams- is this your experience/ understanding?

When did it change?....

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 25/04/2023 12:19

Ds is in 2nd year - I was staggered by this.

1st year - 3rd term just exams, he was finished by 20th May.
2nd year - 3rd term just exams, 3 of the 4 are online, last one is the end of May.

His GF, also 2nd year, different uni, has 2 weeks of teaching when she goes back - but has missed lots of teaching this year with strikes.

Comefromaway · 25/04/2023 12:19

My son has had two weeks of classes which will be followed by 6 weeks of exams/assessment deadlines. However because he is doing a practical course (music) he still has to attend in person rehearsals.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 25/04/2023 12:37

Pretty much, but it is mainly in response to student pressure

If students have exams, they want revision time, understandably.

But the main difference from back in the day is that they have exams every year because having finals all at the end, as was common 20 years ago, is now considered stressful and unfair

These are valid points but it does naturally mean little teaching after Easter

RhinestoneCowgirl · 25/04/2023 12:41

I'm a second year mature student doing undergrad degree. My final deadline for assignments is 9 May (with 5 day grace period) so I am all done for the year from mid-May. Seems incredible!

diflasu · 25/04/2023 12:51

It will depend on the course, department and university but yes there is a trend to have fewer teaching weeks post Easter break.

It a busy time of year for DH - lecturer though- as project work is a huge part in his area and it's been handed in for all the courses or soon will be- so he's marking and doing admin with that and by time that's over he's marking the exam papers.

Original poster
bamboowarrior · 25/04/2023 12:51

So what do students do between midmay and September??....

OP posts:
murasaki · 25/04/2023 12:55

Do some prep for the next year? I had twelve set texts to read in dead languages, it kept me busy. And party, of course Grin

NowZeusHasLainWithLeda · 25/04/2023 12:56

Lots of universities now run on 2 semesters rather than 3 terms.

Mine has just gone back after Easter and has a few seminars and presentations, but essentially it's revision ready for first year exams. Most of which don't count towards finals.

Back in the day when I was at university (1980s) it wasn't that much different tbh. First year exams didn't count for finals unless they were one off courses which weren't continued into the second year. Second year exams did count towards finals - about 40% iirc.

Mine finishes at the beginning of June, she'll come home for a couple of weeks then go and work like last summer on a residential course for international students. Then end of August holiday with us.

ApolloandDaphne · 25/04/2023 12:56

bamboowarrior · 25/04/2023 12:51

So what do students do between midmay and September??....

Go home and get a job, maybe a bit of travelling. Same as students have always done.

ApolloandDaphne · 25/04/2023 12:58

I'm at a two semester uni so have had classes from January and handed in my last essay on 22st April. I can't wait for a long summer period for relaxing without having to think of course work and essays.

Bramshott · 25/04/2023 12:58

bamboowarrior · 25/04/2023 12:51

So what do students do between midmay and September??....

Well for most until term actually finishes in mid June they will have to do exams or submit assessments. Some may have a dissertation to work on over the summer (common between Y2 and Y3), and some will be involved with other student activities such as performance projects. For those who aren't, it's a good opportunity to get some relevant work experience, or just get a summer job to help fund the next year.

It's a bit of a mind-shift getting used to your kids being at school to being at uni where so much more is self-directed.

sarahc336 · 25/04/2023 13:00

As a student may-September I went back home and had a job. Oh is a lecturer and his teaching stops after Easter normally. It's how uni courses have always been ran. The uni staff also have research to do so this tends to be what the unis do over summer.

diflasu · 25/04/2023 13:01

Some will be sitting exams - will depend on the course.

I think we used to break us by June with undergraduate degrees - there was a good solid block of time I worked in and got money to help last though the next year. Only year I didn't was doing field work which took bulk of the time anyway.

I think the masters I did finished later - I think that was a 12 month course - but we did exams with rest of students then had time for the huge dissertation which was handed in end of summer and then started proper career job few weeks after.

Oakbeam · 25/04/2023 13:03

It depends on the uni. The amount of teaching is generally lower than other terms. It has to be, to give the students a chance to revise for exams and for staff to mark coursework and exams.

So what do students do between midmay and September??....

Exams may not finish until mid June, or later in some cases. After that, it’s the summer vacation for traditional undergrads.

piedbeauty · 25/04/2023 13:04

Dd has 2/3 weeks of lectures then a gap of a month, then exams in one subject. 🙄🙄🙄 What a waste of time.

Back in my day we had three 10-week terms, chunter chunter.

SmartHome · 25/04/2023 13:05

i wouldnt have a problem with this if they could only pay 2/3 of the tuition fee and only take 2/3 of any mainetance loas - but of course they can't ..

piedbeauty · 25/04/2023 13:05

bamboowarrior · 25/04/2023 12:51

So what do students do between midmay and September??....

Get a job! Any reading for the next year.

haggisaggis · 25/04/2023 13:06

DD is at St Andrews - they only have 2 semesters. 2nd one started in the middle of January and ran through to the end of the first week in April - no Easter holiday. Then it's revision week and exam weeks with the semester ending May 9! Then that's her until September. I remember going on into June so it does seem quite early.

Oakbeam · 25/04/2023 13:06

I think the masters I did finished later - I think that was a 12 month course

The ones I have been involved in run from the start of October to the end of September with no formal vacation periods other than a short break over Christmas. Actual start and finish dates will vary depending on the institution.

Tradescantia252 · 25/04/2023 13:07

Final assessment here due on 15th May.

JenniferBarkley · 25/04/2023 13:11

SmartHome · 25/04/2023 13:05

i wouldnt have a problem with this if they could only pay 2/3 of the tuition fee and only take 2/3 of any mainetance loas - but of course they can't ..

What? University was two semesters and a long summer break when I was a student twenty years ago. It's the norm, surely?

We have two twelve week semesters. Depending on when Easter falls, we have been zero and three weeks of teaching between the Easter break and exams, but it's not a third term, just the continuation of the second semester.

There is a third semester but I've only ever known it to be for postgraduate dissertations.

SmartHome · 25/04/2023 13:12

Mine was three terms up until June, like school.

Oakbeam · 25/04/2023 13:13

i wouldnt have a problem with this if they could only pay 2/3 of the tuition fee and only take 2/3 of any mainetance loas - but of course they can't ..

Do they pay per term or per year for tuition?

There are direct and indirect tuition costs involved throughout the year for the institution regardless of whether the student is present or not. Courses and assessments need to be prepared and marked etc.

Oakbeam · 25/04/2023 13:15

University was two semesters and a long summer break when I was a student twenty years ago. It's the norm, surely?

In my experience, it’s not the norm, no.

LIZS · 25/04/2023 13:16

bamboowarrior · 25/04/2023 12:51

So what do students do between midmay and September??....

Get seasonal jobs, internships, work experience, volunteering, travel

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